US8191388B2 - Drying duct assembly and washing machine having the same - Google Patents

Drying duct assembly and washing machine having the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US8191388B2
US8191388B2 US12/064,171 US6417106A US8191388B2 US 8191388 B2 US8191388 B2 US 8191388B2 US 6417106 A US6417106 A US 6417106A US 8191388 B2 US8191388 B2 US 8191388B2
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United States
Prior art keywords
duct
reflector
lower duct
drying
assembly according
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US12/064,171
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US20080244922A1 (en
Inventor
Myoung-Deok Kim
Dong-woo Kang
Su-Hee Shin
Hyon-Su Ahn
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LG Electronics Inc
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LG Electronics Inc
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Publication date
Priority claimed from KR1020050076073A external-priority patent/KR101196984B1/ko
Priority claimed from KR1020050076074A external-priority patent/KR101207626B1/ko
Priority claimed from KR1020050076076A external-priority patent/KR101207747B1/ko
Priority claimed from KR1020050076075A external-priority patent/KR101229200B1/ko
Priority claimed from KR1020050076077A external-priority patent/KR101207601B1/ko
Application filed by LG Electronics Inc filed Critical LG Electronics Inc
Assigned to LG ELECTRONICS, INC. reassignment LG ELECTRONICS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AHN, HYON-SU, KANG, DONG-WOO, KIM, MYOUNG-DEOK, SHIN, SU-HEE
Publication of US20080244922A1 publication Critical patent/US20080244922A1/en
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/26—Heating arrangements, e.g. gas heating equipment
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
    • D06F34/26—Condition of the drying air, e.g. air humidity or temperature
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/02—Domestic laundry dryers having dryer drums rotating about a horizontal axis
    • D06F58/04—Details 
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a drying duct assembly and a washing machine having the drying duct assembly.
  • a washing machine with a drying function is a home appliance that can wash and dry laundry.
  • the washing machine with the drying function is classified into an exhaust type in which air in the drum is exhausted to an external side during a drying process and a condensing type in which air in the drum is not exhausted but circulated in the washing machine.
  • the condensing type washing machine includes a drying duct provided on an upper portion of a tub and a heater installed in the drying duct.
  • the heater heats air introduced into the drum to a high temperature.
  • a condensing duct for connecting the drying duct to the tub enclosing the drum is provided to lower the temperature of the air exhausted from the drum.
  • the air passing through the condensing duct is returned into the drying duct.
  • the air is changed into a high temperature/dry state in the drying duct and directed into the drum. This circulation process is repeated.
  • the heater when electric power is applied to the heater installed in the drying duct, the heater generates heat above 700° C. and thus the air maintains a temperature of about 120° C.
  • the drying duct is generally formed of metal material endurable the high temperature.
  • the drying duct is formed of aluminum through a die-casting process.
  • the present invention is directed to a drying duct assembly and a washing machine having the drying duct assembly that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a drying duct assembly that is formed of a lightweight material endurable the high temperature and a washing machine having the drying duct assembly.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a drying duct assembly that can be inexpensively manufactured and increases an internal volume thereof and a washing machine having the drying duct assembly.
  • a drying duct assembly including: a duct lower; a duct upper coupled to an upper portion of the duct lower; a reflector seating on one of inner circumferences of the duct lower and the duct upper; a heater provided in the duct lower to generate heat; and a fan assembly provided on a side of the duct lower to suck air.
  • a drying duct assembly including: a duct lower; a duct upper coupled to an upper portion of the duct lower to define an air passage; a reflector seating on one of inner circumferences of the duct lower and duct upper; a heater for heating air introduced into the air passage; a fan assembly provided on a fan seating portion to intake the air; and a duct connector connected to one of the duct lower and duct upper to direct the air sucked by the fan assembly into a drum.
  • a drying duct assembly including: a duct lower around which a sealing member is installed and which is formed of plastic or SPS; an duct upper covering an upper portion of the duct lower; a reflector formed of metal and seating on an inner circumference of the duct lower; and a heater provided in a space defined between the duct lower and the duct upper.
  • a drying duct assembly including: duct upper and duct lower that are formed of plastic or SPS; a heater disposed in a space defined between the duct upper and the duct lower; a reflector provided between a plastic or SPS portion of the duct lower and the heater; and a spacing unit spacing the reflector apart from the plastic or SPS portion.
  • a drying duct assembly including: a duct lower having a fan seating portion provided at a first end and a stepped portion formed on an inner circumference; a duct upper covering the duct lower to define an air passage; a reflector provided between the duct lower and the duct upper and having a first end contacting the stepped portion; and a fan assembly seating on the fan seating portion.
  • a washing machine including: a drum in which laundry is loaded; a tub receiving the drum; a drying duct assembly provided on an outer side of the tube to supply hot wind into the drum; and a condensing duct connected to the tub, damp air exhausted from the tub flowing along the condensing duct, wherein the drying duct assembly includes: duct upper and duct lower that are formed of plastic or SPS; a heater disposed in a space defined between the duct upper and the duct lower; a reflector provided between a plastic or SPS portion of the duct lower and the heater, the reflector being formed of metal; a spacing unit spacing the reflector apart from the plastic or SPS portion; and a fan assembly sucking outer air and directing the sucked air to the tub.
  • the weight of the drying duct can be reduced.
  • the drying duct assembly is formed of a high heat-resistance plastic material through an injection molding process, it is not easily deformed even at a high temperature, thereby preventing the fire from breaking out.
  • the cabinet does not require the high strength material. Therefore, a material selection range for the cabinet can be widened.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine to which a drying duct assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drying duct assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the drying duct assembly of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a duct lower of the drying duct assembly of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 4 ;
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a reflector spacing unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion B of FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a nap introduction preventing unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion C of FIG. 11 ;
  • FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a coupling method of a reflector and a duct lower according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion D of FIG. 11 .
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine to which a drying duct assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
  • drum-type washing machine In the following description, a drum-type washing machine will be exampled.
  • a washing machine 10 includes a cabinet 11 , a front cover 12 mounted on a front portion of the cabinet 11 , a door 13 pivotally mounted on a front-center portion of the front cover 12 , a tub 15 mounted in the cabinet 11 to reserve washing water, and a drum 14 received in the tub 15 .
  • the laundry is loaded in the drum 14 .
  • the washing machine 10 further includes a detergent box 18 inserted into the cabinet 11 through an upper portion of the front cover 12 to store detergent, softener and the like, a dispenser 17 for receiving the detergent box 18 and guiding the flow of the washing water, and a water supply valve 16 mounted on a rear surface of the cabinet 11 to supply the washing water.
  • the water supply valve 16 and the dispenser 17 are interconnected by a water supply hose.
  • the washing machine 10 further includes a drying duct assembly 20 mounted on the upper portion of the tub 15 to supply hot-wind into the drum 14 during a drying process and a control panel 19 mounted on a front surface of the front cover 12 and having an input portion for inputting washing mode and a display portion for display a washing process.
  • the washing machine 10 further includes a condensing duct mounted in the cabinet 11 .
  • the condensing duct has a first end connected to the tub 15 and a second end connected to the drying duct assembly 20 .
  • a cooling water supply hose for supplying cooling water is connected to an upper portion of the condensing duct so that the cooling water falls from the condensing duct.
  • the detergent and/or softener is inputted in the detergent box 18 .
  • the washing mode is set through the control panel 19 and the operation button is turned on.
  • electric power is applied to the washing machine 10 to perform washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and heat-drying processes according to the inputted washing mode.
  • the washing mode includes a heat-dry process
  • electric power is applied to heater mounted in the dry duct assembly after the spin-dry process is finished.
  • the drum 14 rotates at a relatively low RPM so allow the laundry is repeatedly lifted and falls down.
  • a drying fan mounted in the drying duct assembly 20 operates to intake the air discharged toward the front portion of the drum 14 .
  • the air in the drum 14 is introduced into the drying duct assembly 20 along the condensing duct and changed into a high temperature/dry state.
  • the high temperature/dry air is directed into the drum 14 to absorb moisture of the laundry, thereby being changed into the high temperature/humidity damp air.
  • the high temperature/humidity damp air is exhausted out of the drum 14 and moves upward along the condensing duct.
  • cooling water falls from an upper portion of the condensing duct and heat-exchanges with the high temperature/humidity damp air is changed into a low temperature state while passing through the condensing duct.
  • the moisture contained in the damp air is condensed and lows into the tub 15 .
  • the condensed water directed into the tub 15 flows to a drain pump mounted on a bottom of the tub 15 .
  • the damp air ascending along the condensing duct is changed into a low temperature/dry state.
  • the air ascending along the condensing duct flows into the drying duct assembly 20 and is heated to a high temperature/dry state. Then, this air flows into the drum 14 . This air circulation is repeated for a pre-set time period.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drying duct assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the drying duct assembly of FIG. 2 .
  • the drying duct assembly 20 includes a duck lower 21 , a duct upper 22 seating on an upper portion of the duct lower 21 , a duct sealing 28 seating on an top-edge of the duck lower 21 , a fan assembly 24 mounted on a first end of the duct lower 21 , a duct connector 23 mounted on a second end of the duct lower 21 to connect the dry duct assembly 20 to the tub 15 , a heater 25 mounted in the drying duct assembly 20 to generate high temperature heat, a reflector 27 mounted in the duct lower 21 and spaced apart from the duct lower 21 , and a heat bracket 2 fixing the heater 25 such that the heater 25 is spaced apart from the duct lower 21 .
  • the fan assembly 24 includes a drying fan 241 sucking the air in an axial direction and exhausting the air in a radial direction, a fan motor 244 disposed above the drying fan 241 to rotate the drying fan 241 , an air guide 242 for guiding the flow of the air sucked by the drying fan 241 , a motor housing 243 protruding upward from a top surface of the air guide 242 and receiving the fan motor 244 , a motor mount 245 seating on a top surface of the motor housing 243 and supporting the fan motor 244 .
  • An over-heating preventing sensor 29 is mounted on a side-central portion of the duct lower 21 to prevent the inside of the drying duct assembly 20 from being over-heated.
  • a temperature sensor 30 is mounted on an end of the duct lower 21 , where the duct connector 23 is mounted to detect the temperature of the air introduced into the tub 15 . That is, the temperature sensor 30 detects the temperature of the air introduced into the tub 15 to maintain the temperature of the air at 120° C.
  • the duct seal 28 prevents the high temperature air from leaking through a portion where the duct lower 21 contacts the duct upper 22 .
  • the heater 25 includes a terminal portion 251 to which a current flow wire is connected, a heater seal 252 mounted at a place spaced apart from the terminal portion 251 to prevent the air leakage, and a heat generation portion 253 extending from the terminal portion 251 and having a predetermined diameter and length.
  • the terminal portion 251 is bent at a plurality of portions. That is, the heater seal 252 is fitted on side surfaces of the reflector 27 and the duct lower 21 to prevent the air leakage.
  • the heat generation portion 253 is a sheath heater with a heat wire.
  • the duct lower 21 and the duct connector 23 contact the high temperature air. Therefore, they are formed of high temperature-resistant resin through an injection molding process so that they are not deformed or bunt.
  • the duct lower 21 and the duct connector 23 may be formed of syndiotactic polystyrenes (SPS) disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2003-0075942 filed by LG Chem. LTD. That is, the SPS is produced by mixing styrene-based monomer and atactic polystyrenes with a catalytic material.
  • SPS syndiotactic polystyrenes
  • the SPS has a high heat-resistance and a high chemical-resistance while enjoying the advantages of conventional styrene polymer, such as a low permittivity and a good heat fluidity.
  • the reflector 27 is attached along an upper-inner circumference of the duct lower 21 . That is, the reflector 27 is formed of a metal plate on which aluminum is coated. The reflector 27 is designed to effectively endure the high temperature heat generated by the heater 25 . Therefore, the duct lower 21 is formed of the SPS enduring the high temperature. As the reflector is mounted on the top portion of the duct lower 21 , the deformation of the duct lower 21 by the high temperature heat generated from the heater can be further prevented.
  • the duct upper 22 is also formed of the SPS and the reflector is also attached on the inner circumference of the duct upper 22 .
  • the air guide 242 is also formed of the SPS. However, since the air guide 242 does not directly receive the heat from the heater 25 , it may be formed of a plastic material through the injection molding process.
  • the reflector 27 is spaced apart from the top surface of the duct lower 21 . That is, a thin air layer is formed between the reflector 27 and the duct lower 21 to prevent the heat transferred to the reflector 27 from being directly transferred to the duct lower 21 .
  • a stepped portion having a predetermined height is formed on an inner circumference of the duct lower 21 where the fan assembly 24 is disposed to prevent foreign objects such as naps from being introduced into the air layer. This will be described in more detail later.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a duct lower of the drying duct assembly of FIG. 2 .
  • the duct lower 21 has a longitudinal section formed in a U-shape.
  • the duct lower 21 is provided at an end portion with a fan seating portion 211 a having a predetermined diameter.
  • An air inlet 211 through which air is introduced is formed on the bottom of the fan seating portion 211 a .
  • the air passage is formed along a tangent direction of the fan seating portion 211 a .
  • the air passage has a width expanding from the tangent portion of the fan seating portion 211 a . Therefore, the flow rate of the air discharged into the air passage while rotating the fan seating portion 211 a is reduced to increase time for which the air heat-exchanges with the heater 25 .
  • the duct lower 21 is provided at a side surface with a heater seal seating groove 217 in which the heater seal 252 is inserted and an over-heating preventing sensor seating groove 218 in which the over-heating preventing sensor 29 is inserted.
  • the duck seal 28 seats on an upper edge of the duct lower 29 .
  • the duct lower 21 is provided at a second end with an air outlet 212 through which the high temperature air is exhausted to the tub 15 .
  • the duct lower 21 is further provided at a side of the second end with a temperature sensor hole 219 in which the temperature sensor 30 is mounted (see FIG. 5 ).
  • the duct lower 21 is further provided at a side of the upper edge with a plurality of guide bosses 210 so that the duct upper 22 can be coupled to a right position.
  • a coupling boss 210 a extends downward from the guide boss 210 . That is, the duct upper 22 seats on the top surface of the duct lower 21 and a coupling member is inserted in the coupling boss 210 a.
  • a heater bracket supporting portion 213 protrudes from the bottom of the duct lower 21 . That is, the heater bracket 26 seats on the upper portion of the heater bracket supporting portion 213 . The heater 25 is supported by the heater bracket 26 .
  • the heater bracket supporting portion 213 will be described in more detail later.
  • the supporting rib 216 is continuously or discontinuously formed on the inner circumference of the duct lower 21 so that the reflector 27 can be spaced apart from the duct lower 21 .
  • a stepped portion 215 is formed at a portion spaced apart from the reflector 27 . The supporting rib 216 and the stepped portion 215 will be described in more detail later.
  • the air introduced through the air inlet 211 is heated to the high temperature by the heater 25 and flows to the duct connector 23 through the air outlet 212 .
  • the air is then directed into the tub 15 .
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 5 .
  • a reflector spacing unit for spacing the reflector 27 from the duct lower 21 is provided. That is, the supporting rib 216 protruding from the inner bottom of the duct lower 21 by a predetermined height functions as the reflector spacing unit.
  • the supporting rib 216 may be continuously formed along the side and bottom of the duct lower 21 or may be divided into a plurality of sections arranged at predetermined intervals.
  • a plurality of bosses each having a predetermined height may be formed on the inner circumference of the duct lower 21 .
  • the supporting rib 216 or the supporting bosses may be integrally formed with the duct lower 21 through the injection molding process.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a reflector spacing unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the reflector 27 is provided with one or more forming portions 274 .
  • the reflector 27 is formed of a thin metal plate through a sheet metal working in the coursed of which a top surface of the reflector 27 is pressed down to be concaved by a predetermined depth. Then, the forming portion 274 line-contacts the duct lower 21 and thus the heat transfer from the reflector 27 to the duct lower 21 can be minimized.
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion B of FIG. 5 .
  • the duct lower 21 is provided with the stepped portion 215 .
  • the duct lower 21 is provided with a stepped portion that is stepped downward from the top surface and the end of the reflector 27 contacts the stepped portion 215 .
  • this coupling structure no nap is introduced through a gap between the duct lower 21 and the reflector 27 .
  • the bottom surface of the reflector 27 and the bottom surface of the duct lower 21 are disposed on an identical plane, the air sucked by the drying fan 214 flows along the inside of the duct without receiving any flow-resistance.
  • FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a nap introduction preventing unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 there is shown a unit for preventing naps from being introduced through the gap between the reflector 27 and the duct lower 21 and preventing the end of the reflector 27 from being lifted.
  • an extending portion 215 a is formed on an upper portion of the stepped portion 215 depicted in FIG. 8 .
  • the end of the reflector 27 is inserted in a groove formed on a lower portion of the extending portion 215 a .
  • the lift or movement of the end of the reflector 27 can be suppressed by the extending portion 215 a.
  • the extending portion 215 a extends in a direction where the air sucked by the drying fan 241 , no airflow resistance is generated.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the reflector 27 is formed by cutting and bending a sheet metal working.
  • the outer circumference of the reflector 27 is coated with aluminum to minimize the shape deformation at the high temperature.
  • the upper duct 22 may be formed of the same material as that of the reflector 27 . In this case, no heat insulation member such as the reflector 27 is required.
  • the heater bracket supporting portion 273 is formed on the bottom of the reflector 27 .
  • the heater bracket supporting portion 273 is formed by striking the bottom upward.
  • the heater bracket supporting portion 273 is provided at the top surface with a concave portion 273 a and the concave portion 273 a is provided with a coupling hole 273 b in which the coupling member is inserted.
  • the lower end of the heater bracket 26 seats on the concave portion 273 a not to move. This will be described in more detail later.
  • the reflector 27 is provided at the side surface with the heater seal seating portion 271 in which the heater seal 252 seats.
  • the over-heating preventing sensor hole 272 in which the over-heating preventing sensor 29 seats is formed on the side surface of the reflector 27 .
  • the first end of the reflector 27 contacts the stepped portion 215 of the duct lower 21 and the second end is provided with an air outlet corresponding to the air outlet formed on the end of the duct lower 21 .
  • the second end of the reflector 27 extends along an inner circumference of the duct lower 21 to a portion connected to the duct connector 23 . Accordingly, the shape deformation or melting of the duct lower 21 can be prevented in the course where the air heated by the heater 25 is introduced into the tub 15 .
  • the sensor hole 272 is formed in a closed-curve shape. This will now be described in more detail.
  • a sealing member is disposed on the outer circumference of the over-heating preventing sensor 29 .
  • the sealing member may be formed of rubber. When the sealing member is damaged by heat, this may cover the over-heating preventing sensor 29 . In this case, the heat detection may not be effectively realized. Therefore, in order to protect the over-heating preventing sensor 29 from the sealing member, the over-heating preventing sensor hole 272 is formed in the closed-curve shape so that only a detecting surface of the over-heating preventing sensor 29 can be exposed to the heat.
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 2 and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion C of FIG. 11 .
  • the drying duct assembly 20 of the present invention includes the duct lower 21 , the duct upper 22 coupled to the top of the duct lower 21 , the reflector 27 seating on the inner circumference of the duct lower 21 , and the heater bracket 26 seating on the upper portion of the reflector 27 to support the heater.
  • the duct lower 21 is provided at the bottom center with the heater bracket supporting portion 213 protruding upward.
  • a concave portion 213 a having a pre-determined diameter and depth is formed on the top surface of the heater bracket supporting portion 213 .
  • a coupling boss 213 b extending from the concave portion 213 a downward is formed.
  • a coupling member 40 is inserted in the coupling boss 213 b.
  • a heater bracket supporting portion 273 having a same shape as the heater bracket supporting portion 213 formed on the duct lower is also formed on the bottom of the reflector 27 .
  • a concave portion 273 a is formed on the top surface of the heater bracket supporting portion 273 and a coupling hole 273 b is formed on the center of the concave portion 273 a .
  • the coupling member 40 is inserted in the coupling hole 273 b .
  • the lower end 26 of the heater bracket 26 seats on the concave portion 273 a.
  • a heat generation unit 253 is coupled to the upper portion of the heater bracket 26 .
  • the lower portion of the heater bracket 26 seats on the concave portion 273 a . Therefore, even when the coupling member 40 is loosely tightened or removed from the coupling boss 213 b , the separation of the heater bracket 26 from the heater bracket supporting portion 273 can be prevented. That is, the upper and lower ends of the heater bracket 26 are fixed by the heater 25 and the heater bracket supporting portion 273 .
  • the coupling member 40 functions non only to fix heater bracket 26 to the duct lower 21 and the reflector 27 but also to fix the reflector 27 to the duct lower 21 .
  • a member such as the reflector 27 may be mounted on the inner circumference of the duct upper 22 .
  • FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a coupling method of the reflector and the duct lower according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • a fixing projection protruding from a top surface of the duct lower 21 is provided.
  • the fixing projection 210 b may be integrally formed with the duct lower through the injection molding process. One or more fixing projections 210 b may be provided. A length of the fixing projection 210 b may be slightly longer than that of the supporting rib 216 . This will now be described in more detail.
  • the reflector 27 seats on the top surface of the duct lower 21 on which the fixing projection 210 b is formed.
  • a hole through which the fixing projection 210 b penetrates is formed on the bottom of the reflector 27 .
  • the fixing projection 210 b is projected out of the reflector 27 .
  • the projected upper portion of the fixing projection 210 b is molten to fix the top surface of the fixing projection 210 b on the bottom surface of the reflector 27 .
  • the fixing projection 210 b functions as the coupling member.
  • FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion D of FIG. 11 .
  • the reflector 27 is formed along an inner circumference of the duct lower 21 in a shape identical to the inner circumference of the duct lower 21 .
  • a side portion of the reflector 27 is longer than the side portion of the duct lower 21 to be projected above the top surface of the duct lower 21 .
  • a side upper end of the reflector 27 is higher than a side upper end of the duct lower 21 to guide the duct upper 22 to the right position. Since the side end portion of the reflector 27 extends to have a sufficient length, the damage of the duct seal 28 fitted on the top surface of the duct lower 21 by the high temperature air flowing in the drying duct assembly 20 can be prevented.
  • the duct seal 28 is generally formed of rubber that is very weak against heat. Therefore, there is a need for means for preventing the duct seal 28 from being damaged by the high temperature air. The means is realized by properly adjusting the length of the side portion of the reflector 27 .
  • the side end portion of the reflector 27 is longer than the side end portion of the duct lower 21 , the high temperature air leakage out of the drying duct assembly 20 can be prevented. That is, the air leakage prevention can be dually realized by the side end portion of the reflector 27 and the duct seal 28 .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
US12/064,171 2005-08-19 2006-08-17 Drying duct assembly and washing machine having the same Active 2028-12-30 US8191388B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (11)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020050076073A KR101196984B1 (ko) 2005-08-19 2005-08-19 건조 겸용 드럼 세탁기 및 이에 장착되는 건조 덕트어셈블리
KR10-2005-0076075 2005-08-19
KR10-2005-0076074 2005-08-19
KR10-2005-0076077 2005-08-19
KR10-2005-0076073 2005-08-19
KR1020050076074A KR101207626B1 (ko) 2005-08-19 2005-08-19 건조 겸용 드럼 세탁기 및 이에 장착되는 건조 덕트어셈블리
KR1020050076076A KR101207747B1 (ko) 2005-08-19 2005-08-19 건조 겸용 드럼 세탁기 및 이에 장착되는 건조 덕트어셈블리
KR1020050076075A KR101229200B1 (ko) 2005-08-19 2005-08-19 건조 겸용 드럼 세탁기 및 이에 장착되는 건조 덕트어셈블리
KR10-2005-0076076 2005-08-19
KR1020050076077A KR101207601B1 (ko) 2005-08-19 2005-08-19 건조 겸용 드럼 세탁기 및 이에 장착되는 건조 덕트어셈블리
PCT/KR2006/003215 WO2007021134A2 (en) 2005-08-19 2006-08-17 Drying duct assembly and washing machine having the same

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20080244922A1 US20080244922A1 (en) 2008-10-09
US8191388B2 true US8191388B2 (en) 2012-06-05

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US12/064,171 Active 2028-12-30 US8191388B2 (en) 2005-08-19 2006-08-17 Drying duct assembly and washing machine having the same

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US11421372B2 (en) 2018-06-25 2022-08-23 Whirlpool Corporation Composite material structural panel having an integral air channel
US11371181B2 (en) * 2019-08-28 2022-06-28 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Dryer appliance and ventilation assembly

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EP1915480A4 (de) 2014-05-28
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US20080244922A1 (en) 2008-10-09
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